For Curly Girls: Tips And Notes For The Ladies In Transition

Transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair should be an exciting time for you, not a time of intimidation or feeling of loss.

1. Do not be in a hurry to switch over

You don’t have to know when you’ll rock your 100% natural hair right away! Give yourself about 4 months — by then, you should have enough growth to get excited!

2. No Petroleum, Sulfate or Mineral Oil

This is the key. The one big thing that will cut down on breakage when you are transitioning. These ingredients are a big no-no on a regular basis. However, when transitioning they are especially not to be used. Sulfates can be found in shampoos (the thing that gives shampoo the suds), petroleum and mineral oil can be found in hair grease. If they are in the top five ingredients in any hair product, don’t use it. Look closely at your product label before you buy anything while you are transitioning.

3. Be gentle

The point where your natural texture meets your straight hair (it’s called the line of demarcation) is THE weakest part of you hair. Take your time when you detangle and style your hair.

Hair Notes:Great alternatives for shampooing is–condition washing, add some baking soda to your conditioner and wash your scalp with it. Notice I did not say hair, the hair can be washed by default. Apply the paste to the scalp and massage it in. You can do a final rinse with apple cider vinegar; it softens hair and makes it supple. This can be done up to three times per week to keep your hair nicely washed and conditioned. Put a tea rinse (like mint) in a bottle and spray your hair when it needs to be refreshed and then seal with an oil.

5. Moisturize your hair

Dry hair breaks. Nothing beats water when it comes to moisturizing hair, but you can also add your favorite natural hair products on top to seal it in.

6. Deep conditioning

Hair masks are no longer a special treat! Naturally curly hair usually doesn’t lack protein, so stick with deep moisturizing treatments.

7. Wind down your heat usage

No need for a blow dryer or flat iron any more. Try air drying all of your styles instead.

8. Protect your edges

Avoid transitioning styles that put too much tension on your temples and the nape of your neck. The hair there is usually finer, thinner and more delicate!

Hair Notes: You can minimize the breakage. How much breakage you get is dependent on your hair type and how you treat your hair during the process. Baka Beautiful’s Natural-Laxer MIX is excellent for minimizing breakage during this phase. By gently softening the natural hair and strengthening the entire hair, the Natural-Laxer makes the transition from permed hair to natural hair easier and less traumatic. MORE

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